Apparatus for making flattened elongate metallic bodies with finished edges from powdered metal



April 19, 1960 2,933,305 APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLATTENED ELONGATEMETALLIC BODIES WITH FINISHED EDGES FROM POWDERED METAL Filed Dec. 1'7;1957 W. A. REED ETAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Tic]. E.

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INVENTORJ "111111,. lI/III/III/I/lll III/IA WILL/AM A. REED BY E0667? 4.HOLMAA/ ATTORNEY April 19, 1960 w. A. REED ETAL 2,933,305

APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLATTENED ELONGATE METALLIC BODIES WITH FINISHEDEDGES FROM POWDERED METAL Filed Dec. 17, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ti: E1

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I H g; 9 I 35 I 4 INVENTORS W/LL/AM '4. REED 46 R0651? A. HOLM/M/ATTORNEY A ril 19, 1960 Flled Dec 17 1957 w. A. REED ET AL 2,933,305APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLATTENED ELONGATE METALLIC BODIES WITH FINISHEDEDGES FROM POWDERED METAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS W/LL/AM A. REED BYRQGE/Q ,4. HOLM/M/ WWW A 770/8/l/E/ A ril 19, 1960 w. A. REED ETAL2,933,305

OR MAKING F ENED ELONGATE APPARATUS F LAT METALLIC BODIES WITH FINISHEDEDGES FROM POWDERED METAL Filed D90 17, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ti. :1 E

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W/LZ/AM ,4. KEfD 06. 5? A. HOZMA/V United States APPARATUS FOR MAKINGFLATTENED ELON- GATE METALLIC BODIES WITH FliNlSifll) EDGES FROMPOWDEREI) METAL Application December 17, 1957, Serial No. 79.33%

Claims. (Cl. sea -2.5

The present invention relates to apparatus for making flattened elongatemetallic bodies with finished edges from powdered metal. Moreparticularly this invention cornprises apparatus for the rolling ofpowdered metal directly into strip or sheet form in a'single roll passwith particular provision for forming finished edge portions thereon.This last object is attained by providing a moving surface in contactwith the edge portions of the powder being rolled as it passes betweenthe principal rolls.

The prior art has taught the rolling of powdered metal directly intostrip or sheet form by the use of rolls arranged on parallel horizontalaxes and with the powdered metal supplied thereto from above. When suchan apparatus is used, however, and irrespective of whether the principalrolls are cylindrical in form or contoured to some extent, the edgeportions of the strip formed thereby are rough, irregular and oftencracked with the cracks penetrating toward the center froin the edges.to use such a strip it is necessary that these rough edge portions becut olf and discarded. While it is possible to rework the metal so outoff, this causes a waste of metal or labor or both, which greatlyincreases the cost of the good portion of the strip formed by theseprocesses. A primary object of the present invention is to avoid thisloss and to obviate the necessity for cutting off lateral portions ofthe strip, so that the strip as formed may be substantially perfect fromedge to edge and be useful throughout.

More particularly the present invention comprises the provision of apair of principal rolls located side by side and with their axesdisposed substantially parallel and preferably in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and a pair of moving surfaces cooperating with thepowder-engaging surfaces of the principal rolls in defining and boundingthe space between such rolls in the plane of the axes thereof, thesemoving surfaces or edge-engaging surfaces preferably being in the formof edge rolls. It is found in accordance with the present invention thatthe edge defining surfaces or edge rolls should move with a speedsubstantially equal to the speed at which the rolled body emerges frombetween the principal rolls. Thus in a preferred form of the inventionin which there are edge rolls, these rolls are operated at a peripheralspeed substantially equal to the peripheral speedof the edge portions ofthe principal rolls.

It is usually preferred that at least one and preferably both theprincipal rolls be positively driven. When edge rolls are used, as in apreferred embodiment of the invention, it is also practically necessarythat they be moved at a peripheral speed substantially as aforesaid. Itis also preferred that some drive means either friction drive orpositive drive, be provided for the edge rolls.

It has also been found necessary in accordance with the presentinvention to have the moving powder-engaging surface of each of thelateral boundaries for the powder being rolled, and particularly for theedge rolls, to be substantially the same in width as (and not wider Inorder atent @r 2,933,305 Patented Apr. 19, 1 960 ice than) the width atthe edges of the space between the principal rolls during the actualrolling of powder therebetween. It is thus found that each edge rollshould be relieved or be provided with conical surfaces contigous to thepowder-engaging surface thereof, the conical surfaces forming apredetermined angle with the powerengaging surface (considered in theplan-e of the axes of the edge rolls and principal rolls); so that anypowder which may tend to pass between the edge rolls and principalrolls, laterally of the end of the principal rolls will not be squeezedbetween substantially parallel surfaces, but may fall freely throughoutthe apparatus and be collected and suitably disposed of thereafter. Thispredetermined angle should be from about 25 to and is preferably uniformon both sides of each edge roll.

In addition to this, means are provided for adjustably varying the spacebetween the principal rolls so as adjustably to control the thickness ofthe strip or sheet being formed. It is also usually desirable and isprovided according to the present invention that there be provision foradjustably varying the positions of the axes of the edge rolls withrespect to a point midway between the principal rolls, in other wordstoward and away from the path of the powder. This last adjustment may beeffected by the provision of an eccentric bearing member as particularlyhereinafter disclosed.

Other and more detailed objects and features of the present inventionwill become apparent from a consideration of a detailed disclosurethereof which follows and which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, principally in elevation and with parts broken away,illustrating a portion of the drive for the principal rolls andillustrating the means for adjustably varying the space therebetween,this figure also showing a means for supplying metal powder in a heatedcondition to the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detailed view substantially in horizontalsection on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing one of the adjustablemountings for the axis of one of the principal rolls;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section,illustrating the principal rolls and cooperating edge rolls with thedrives therefor, the section being taken substantially on the line 3-42of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary view similar to a part of 3 showing a positivedrive for the edge rolls for use in lieu. of the frictional drive ofFig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section onthe line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing the principal rolls, one of the edgerolls and the chute means for supplying metallic powder thereto;

Fig. 5 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical sectionsubstantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the mounting andcertain of the adjustment means for the edge rolls;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the chute means for direpting metallicpowder into the space defined by the 1'0 ls;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section on the line 7-7 ofFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view principally in horizontal section and withthe rolls shown in broken lines, the section being taken on the line 88of Fig. 6, which is substantially at the level of the plane includingthe axes of the principal and edge rolls;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view in transverse section on the line 99 of Fig.5, showing in greater detail the eccentric bearing mounting for the edgerolls; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale similar to a part ofFig. 8 and showing portions of the "illustrated a stationary structureof box-like form including a base 15, side members is and 17, endmembers 18'and 19 and a top member 25 It will be understood that otherforms of stationary structure or mounting means could be used, the oneshown being merely one which has in fact been used in an operatingapparatus according to the present invention.

Mounted in suitable bearings in the stationary stucture particularlyincluding the side plates 16 and 17 are a pair or principal rolls" 2.1and 22. The roll 21 is secured on a shaft 23, which passes throughsuitable bearings 24 in" the side members 16 and i7 and also through abearing 25 external of the stationary structure or housing formed by themembers -2d inclusive. The details of these bearings 24 and arenotillustrated as "they may be assumed to be conventional in character.

i The roll 22 is secured on a shaft 26, which is in turn journaled insuitable stationary but adjustable bearings 27, Figs. 1, 2 and 3.This'shaft is further journal'ed in a bearing 28 outside the housingformed by stationary members 15-20 and positioned so as to be suitablyadjustable to accommodate the adjustments hereinafter set out in detailasto the positions of the bearings 27.

In order that the space between the rolls 2i and 22 may be adjustablycontrolled, so as to control the thickness of the strip or sheet beingrolled, means are provided for adjusting the bearings 27 toward and awayfrom the position of the bearings 24. For this purpose each of thebearings 27 is suitably rigidly but removably received within slideblocks 29 which are mounted for horizontal sliding movement in suitableways formed in the side members 16 and 317. As shown in Fig. 1, each ofthe slide blocks 29 is provided with a pair of threaded bores into whichextend threaded bolts 30 passing freely through the members 16 and 17,respectively, and provided with heads 31 hearing against the outside ofthe end member 19 with or without the interposition of a suitablewasher. Thus when the bolts 30 are rotated to thread them further intoeach slide block 29, the slide blocks will be drawn to the right as seenin Fig. 1. due to the bolts being prevented from movement to the left asseen inthat figure by engagement of the heads 31 thereof (or washerscontiguous with the heads) against the outer surface of the end member19. The adjustment once made is secured and/or movement of the slidebiocks 29 to the left as seen in Fig. l is caused, once the bolts 30 areunloosened, by a pressure screw or bolt 352 thread ed in a part of, eachside member (as 16 or 17) as shown at 33 inFig. 2 and abutting at itsleft hand end as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 against the adjacent side of eachslide block 29. In this way the adjustment of the, position of the shaft26 may be made positively within the limits of adjustment provided andsuitably secured'against accidental movement as will now be clear tothose skilled in the art.

Each slide block 29 is further provided with a shield or front plate 34suitably secured thereto as by bolts 35 and overlying the marginalportions of each side wall 16 and 17 respectively surrounding theopening in which each block 29 is adjustably movable. The plates areprovided with. a plurality of elongate openings shown at 36 throughwhich extend bolts 37 threaded into the re spective side wall. Thesebolts provide an additional means for securing each slide block 29 in anadjusted position. It will be understood that when a new adjustment ofthe position of the shaft 26 is to be made, the bolts 37 must first beloosened. The elongate openings are of such dimensions as to permit ofthe adjustment provided for the blocks 29.

, While it is contemplated as possible according to the presentinvention that but one of the principal rolls 21 or iii V a 4 22 needbe'driven, it is conventional and is preferred that both be positivelydriven. For this reason both rolls 21 and '22 are suitablyrigidlysecured, for example, by hubs 38 and keys or splines 39, to theshafts 23 and 26 respectively. The shafts 25 and 26 are provided withsuitable gears 40 and41 respectively, rigidly secured thereto in anymanner and meshing with one another Y as shownin Figs. 1 and 3. Powermay be supplied for driving the principal rolls in any suitable way (notshown), for example, by suitable gear means meshing with one of thegears 40 or 41. In general this drive maybe one conventionally used inrolling mills.

-In accordance with the present invention, means are provided forsubstantially exactly defining the end portions of the space between theprincipal rolls, so as to form a strip or sheet having finished edgeportions which are substantially free from cracks. A considerable numberof different types of edge-defining means were experimented with in thecourse of research resulting in the present invention. It was found, forexample, that flange portions on one or both the principal rolls, whichmight overlap the other of such rolls or abut a portion of the other ofsuch rolls, were not effective to give the desired results. it wasfurther found that stationary abutment means was not satisfactory insecuring desired results in this respect. It was found, however, thatwhen a moving surface wasprovided', with the rate of movementsubstantially equal to the rate at which the metal moved through thespace between the principal rolls, or in other words at a speedapproximately equal to the peripheral speed of the principal rolls atthe edge portions thereof (if different from the center portion), thedesired results as to the forming of finished edge portions on the stripbeing formed were attained; Various means were experimented with forsecuring this result. It was found,

for example, that sliding panels or plates were effective it wasdetermined that the simplest and most effective type of apparatus which,could carry out this requiredfunction would be edge rolls, mounted onaxes parallel with one another and substantially in the same horizontalplane as the axes of the principal rolls and perpendicular to t the axesof the principal rolls. It is contemplated, however, that other types ofmoving surfaces, in addition to the substantially cylindrical surfacesof edgefrolls, could be effective to accomplish the desired result as tothe metal strip being formed, even though they were not as desirablefrom the point of view of, the mechanical arrangements required toprovide the necessary movement as aforesaid. a

In accordance-with the preferred'form of the present invention, thereare provided a pair of edge rolls. 42 and 43 which are mounted on shafts44 and 45 respectively. The mounting for the edge rolls is best shown asto the roll 43 in Fig. 9, it beingunderstood that both edge rolls may beand preferably are similarly mounted, so that a'description of one willsuffice. In this figure the edge roll 43 is shown removably mountedbetween a pair. ofsubstantially circular disks 46, which are boltedtogether by bolts 47 so as to embrace theedge roll 43therebetween asshown. The disks and the edge roll 43-are both splined to the centershaft 45 as shown at 48 so that all rotate in unison with this shaft.The arangement is such that if a quite different type of edge. roll isdesired, the assembly just described may be completely disassembledand anew edge roll mounted between the disks 46; or alternatively, a completesetincluding an edge roll 43 and a pair of disks 46 may be substitutedfor the set shown in Fig. 9.

The shafts 44 and 45 carrying the edge rolls as aforesaid are suitablymounted in a manner particularly hereinafter described in brackets '49.These brackets are stationarymembers extending laterally from the sidewalls 16 and 17 and may be integral therewith or otherwise rigidlysecured thereto as particularly shown in Fig. 5.

There is shown at 50 in Figs. 3 and some shields or housing parts whichare alternatively usable for enclosing the edge rolls 43 when it isdesired to prevent access of air to the material being rolled. Thiswould be needed, for example, in the hot rolling of titanium powder andmight also be needed in the rolling of other metals, where the hot metalis subject to rapid and sometimes almost instantaneous and spontaneousoxidation by atmospheric air. Under such circumstances, the powder isrolled Within a completely enclosed apparatus or housing which may bekept filled with an inert gas at a slight superatmospheric pressure, soas positively to prevent all contact between the oxygen of the air andthe hot metal, which could be rapidly oxidized thereby.

In accordance with the present invention, it is desired that means heprovided for adjusting the positions of the axes of the edge rollstoward and away from each other and particularly toward and away from apoint midway between the principal rolls 21 and 22. For this purposeeach edge roll is preferably adjustably mounted as best shown in Figs. 5and 9 so that the shaft thereof, for example, the shaft 45 of Fig. 9, isprovided with suitable roller or ball bearings as shown to facilitatethe rotation of the respective shaft in a stationary and substantiallyhollow cylindrical bearing member 51, there being one of the members 51on each side of each edge roll as shown in Fig. 9. Each member 51 isthreaded into an eccentric bearing member 52 by threads in the outersurface of each member 51 and in the inner surface of the members 52.The threaded interior surface of the member 52 is located substantiallyconcentrically with the shaft 45 and substantially eccentric of theouter cylindrical surface thereof which is indicated at 53. This outercylindrical surface 53 is received in a cylindrical aperture in one ofthe bracket members 49. The eccentric members 52 are secured in positionin the bracket members 49 by means of clamps comprising angle brackets54 and bolts 55 as shown.

The adjustment may be effected as follows: When it is desired to changethe position of the axis of either edge roll 42 or 43, the associatedbolts 55 cooperating with the clamps -54 therefor are loosened, so as topermit relative rotation between the eccentric members 52 associatedwith the roll to be adjusted and the bracket members 49. This relativerotation may be effected by applying' a suitable wrench or otherrotating means to the eccentric members 52, radial bores 56 beingprovided in each eccentric member 52 for this purpose. Once theeccentric member 52 and the members 51 carried respectively thereby havebeen moved to a desired adjusted position, the adjustment may be securedby retightening the bolts 55, so that the brackets 54 will clamp theeccentric member 52 tightly in the associated brackets 49. It will beunderstood that the bearing member 51 has a snug fit with respect to theassociated eccentric member 52, these members being shown threadedtogetherv It is contemplated, however, if desired that a suitable setscrew or equivalent means may be used to prevent relative rotation(unscrewing) of the members 51 and 52. It will also be understood thatif it is desired to replace an edge roll, one or both the members 51 maybe unscrewed with respect to its associated eccentric members 52respectively so as to permit of this action. t The bearing members 51may similarly be provided with a series of radial bores 57 for thereceipt of a suitable wrench or equivalent means to effect relativerotation with respect to the associated eccentric member 52.

As stated generally above, it is practically essential in accordancewith the present invention that the edge rolls rotate at a peripheralspeed substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the principalrolls, or in other words, at a speed substantially equal to the rate atwhich the metal strip being rolled emerges from between the' principalrolls. Suitable means for driving the edge rolls at this speed are,therefore, provided in accordance with this invention.

The drive for the edge rolls may be positive as shown for example inFig. 3a or may be frictional as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the latter beingthe preferred arrangement in accordance with the present invention. If africtional drive is used, it is preferred that friction drive members 58be carried rigidly by each of the edge roll shafts 44 and 45, thesefriction drive members each having a driving surface which is disposedin a plane perpendicular to the axis of the respective shaft. Thefriction drive members 58 may cooperate with drive members 59 rigidlycarried by the shaft 23, for example. From a broad point of view, anysuitable source of driving power may be used for driving the edge rollsincluding the same source used for driving the principal rolls. It ispreferred, however, that the drives be synchronized as to speed, so thatin normal operation the edge rolls will be given substantially the sameperipheral speed as the principal rolls. However, the speeds need not beexactly matched, but merely be substantially the same in order that thedesired results of the present invention be attained.

An additional desirable feature of the friction drive as shown in Fig. 3is that this drive is effective in all adjusted positions of the edgerolls, the differences in the adjusted positions of the edge rollsmerely controlling the radius of the zone where the driving members 59bear upon the driving surfaces of the members 58. Inasmuch as this willaffect only the relative peripheral speeds of the edge rolls withrespect to the principal rolls, and as the adjustment will not varythese peripheral speeds to a substantial extent, it is found that thedrive means of Fig. 3 is practically effective for all adjustedpositions of the edge rolls.

In Fig. 3a beveled gears 60 on shaft 23 and 61 on roll shafts 44 and 45are shown in lieu of the frictional driving arrangement of Fig. 3. Inthis form of the invention, the teeth of the gears 60 and 61 may mesh toa greater or less extent depending upon the adjusted position of each ofthe edge rolls. Alternatively, arrangements may be made as will now beobvious for adjusting the gears 60 longitudinally of the shaft 23 in anysuitable way, so as always to be in proper mesh with the gears 61, whichare carried rigidly with the respective edge rolls.

Considering now the edge rolls in their relation to the principal rolls,it is practically necessary that the powderengaging surfaces of the edgerolls shown at 62 in Fig. 10 shall be cylindrical in form and ofsubstantially the same width as the width of the space 63 between theprincipal rolls at the edges of this space and that the powder-engagingsurfaces of the edge rolls shall be substantially tangent to the edgesof the principal rolls as shown in Fig. 10.

It has also been found that the edge rolls for best operation shouldhave diameters from about one-half to about one times the diameters ofthe principal rolls, the arrangements shown in the drawings being thatwhich the diameters of the cylindrical powder-engaging surfaces 62 ofthe edge rolls are the same as the diameters of the powder-engagingsurfaces of the principal rolls 21 and 22.

From a substantial amount of research work in connection with thedevelopment of this invention, it has been found that if the width ofthe surfaces 62 were greater than the width of the space 63 at the edgesthereof, there would be a tendency for some powder to get trappedbetween the overlapping edge portions of the surfaces 62 and the sidesof the principal rolls. If on the other hand the surface 62; were ofless Width than the space 63 between the principal rolls, it would notbe possible to form a substantially perfect edge portion for the stripor sheet being rolled. The relationship, therefore, that the width ofthe cylindrical surfaces 62 should "tively to prevent any entrapment ofany powder between such other portions of the edge rolls and any partsof the principal rolls.

In view of the fact that the edge rolls are of substan tial diameter andas the strips being rolled maybe relatively thin, it is desirable thatthe edge rolls considered as a whole shall be somewhat thicker than thewidth of the space 63. For this reason, therefore, the edge rolls areprovided with conical surface portions 64 and 65 contiguous to thecylindrical surface 62 and on each side thereof. In order that there besufficient relief so that metal powder will not betrapped between theedge rolls and the principal rolls and yet so that the desired strengthwill be afforded to the edge rolls in support of the powdercontactingsurface 62 thereof, the angle shown at 66 be tween each conical surface64 and 65 and the plane of one side of each of the principal rolls isalso important. It is found in accordance with the present inventionthat this angle should be from about to about 75 and that it ispreferably the same on both sides of each edge roll, so that each edgeroll is symmetrical about a median plane perpendicular to the axisthereof. In a preferred form of the invention which is shown in thedrawings, this angle 66'should be about Referring nowto Figs. 4 and 5 itwill be seen that the edge rolls 42 and 43 are arranged to projectthrough slots 67 formed in the side members 16 and 17, these slots beingsufiiciently large to receive the edge rolls without any frictionalcontact therebetween at all adjusted positions of the edge rolls.

There is also shown in Figs. 4 and 5, as well as in de tailed Figs. 6 to8, an arrangement ofchute means for directing metallic powder into thespace 63 between the rolls. This chute means is generally indicated at68 and is preferably secured to the top member 20 of the casing so as todepend therefrom. The chute means as shown comprises a pair of sideplates 69 and 70 between which are a pair of end plates 71 and 72. Thechute means as a whole may be suitably secured, as by screws 73, Fig. 5,to the top member 23 and the parts thereof may be secured together bysuitable screws or other fastening means as indicated at 74. The plates69 and 70 are each provided with a cut-out portion as shown at 75through which the principal rolls extend. The upper end of one of thesecut-out portions 75, shown at 76 in Fig. 6, is arranged to extenddownwardly almost into contact with the principal rolls, but is out offrictional engagement therewith, so that powder supplied through thechute member 68 .will not pass around the principal rolls at thesepoints. The end plates 71 and 72 extend down to a point approaching theperiphery of the edge rolls, but are out of contact therewith in alladjusted positions of the edge rolls, so as to prevent or at least tominimize powder supplied through the chute member 68 fromflowing outaroundthe edge rolls and to direct it into the space '63'between theprincipal rolls.

The side plates 69 and 76 except for the cut-out portions aforesaidextend down to a level lower than the plane including the axes of theprincipal and edge rolls as particularly shown at '77 in Fig. 5 and asfurther illustrated by the section shown in Fig. 8 which is taken in theplane including the axes of the several rolls. This in practice preventsthe loss of all but a small amount of powder during the operation of therolls in forming a sheet or strip from this powder.

'While it is not always essential that metal powder: for use in thisdevice be heated prior to rolling and/or be protected from contactwiththe atmosphere during such heating, there are some metal powders whichmust, and others which preferably should be, handled in this way. Inorder to provide for this heating, while holding the metal powder out ofcontact with the atmosphere, a device may be used substantially the sameas or equivalent to the structure shown at the upper portion of Fig. 1.As shown in this figure, the top plate 21 carries a pair of mountingbases 78, which in turn carry vertically disposed standards 79.Adjustably securable onto the standards 79 at different'yerticalpositions with respect thereto are bearing memberstii), which may besecured, for example, by suitable set screws at any desired adjustedpositions along the standards 79. Journaled in the bearing members 80are a pair of aligned shafts '81 and 82 which carry a housing generallyindicated at 83 which may serve as a metal powder heater and blender.This housing comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 84 mergingwith a conical portion 85, with a suitable valve 86 located at the apexof the cone, which is directed downwardly in the position of the partsshown in Fig. .1. In order to conserve heat, the housing 83 ispreferably surrounded by a layer of insulation 87. Heat may be suppliedto the powder within the blender by a suitable electric heating element38 shown as a coil and having conductors .89 for supplying electricpower thereto arranged to connect with suitable slip ring contactsincluded in a bank of slip rings 90; There is also preferably disposedwithin the blender a thermocouple. or other temperature-responsivedevice 91, which may be similarly arranged to be connected by conductors92 to suitable annular contacts in the bank of slip rings 90. The supplyof powder to the slip rings 90 for energizing the heating element 88 andthe connections to a suitable temperature-indicating instrument orsystem are not shown, as they may be presumed to be conventional. IMeans may also be provided for supplying and maintaining a neutral orinert protective atmosphere within the housing 83. For this purpose,each of the shafts 8i and 32 may be provided with a longitudinal boreconnecting respectively to pipes 93 and 94. Such atmosphere may, forexample, be hydrogen or nitrogen and may be maintained at a slightsuperatmospheric pressure, so that any leakage that may occur will beoutwardly and'so that atmospheric air is positively prevented fromcontact with the metal powder within the housing 83; 1 I

In the normal operation of this portion of the apparatus, unheated metalpowder is charged .into the blender while the shafts 81 and 82 are at aposition somewhat above that, shown in Fig. 1 and while the valve 86 isdirected upwardly and is open. The valve 86 may then be closed and theblender rotated about the axes of shafts 81 and 82 by suitable means(not shown). Mean while, electric energy may be supplied to the heatingelement 88 for bringing the temperature of the metal powder up to thedesired point. During this heating the atmos phere within the blendermay be maintained inert or neutral by supplying an inert gas, forexample, through the pipe 94 and exhausting it throughthe pipe 93. Theheating and rotating and consequent blending may continue for a desiredtime and until the temperature of the metal powder reaches a desiredpoint. Following this, the rotation of the blender is stopped with theparts substantially in the position shown in the drawings, i.e. with avalve 86 directed downwardly; and the entire blender. may then belowered with respect to the standards 79, so that the valved openingcomes intoiregistry with the entrance through the top plate 20 forpowder'to the rolls through the chute means 68. The rolling millpreviously described is then started and the valve 86 opened to permitthe flow of powder to the mill.

While there is herein shown and described but one principal form of theinvention and certain variants of portions thereof, other variants andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art from the foregoingdescription. We do not wish to be limited, therefore, except by thescope of the appended claims, which are to be construed validly asbroadly as the state of the prior art permits.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for making flattened, elongate metallic bodies, as stripsand sheets, comprising a pair of substantially horizontal axis principalrolls positioned side by side with their axes located substantially in ahorizontal plane and parallel to each other, so as to compress flowablemetallic powder supplied thereto from above to the form of an elongatemetallic body, which is sufficiently compact and dense to beself-sustaining as it emerges from said principal rolls, said principalrolls defining the two lo'nger sides of a space therebetweencorresponding generally to the cross-section of an elongate body formedfrom metallic powder by said rolls; a pair of edge rolls having outer,substantially cylindrical, powder-engaging surfaces and positioned sothat said powder-engaging surfaces substantially exactly define the endsof said space and serve to confine the fiowable metallic powder suppliedas aforesaid to the space between said principal rolls, said edge rollshaving their powder-engaging surfaces of substantially the same lateralwidth in a direction axial of said edge rolls as the width of the edgesof said space and being substantially tangent to the edges of saidprincipal rolls, and wherein, in the substantially horizontal planeaforesaid including the axes of said principal rolls, only thepowder-engaging surfaces of said edge rolls extend in directionssubstantially perpendicular to the axes of said principal rolls and allother portions of said edge rolls are spaced away from said principalrolls and are non-parallel with the powder-engaging surfaces of saidedge rolls, so as to prevent any entrapment of any metal powder betweensaid other portions of said edge rolls a and any parts of said principalrolls; and means for rotating said edge rolls at a peripheral speedsubstantially the same as the speed at which said body emerges from between said principal rolls.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means forpositively and continuously driving both of said principal rolls, andmeans for rotating said edge rolls.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means forpositively and continuously driving both said principal rolls, and meansfor frictionally driving said edge rolls, so as to permit of somevariations between the peripheral speeds of the powder-engaging portionsof said principal and said edge rolls.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means foradjustably varying the distance between the axes of said principalrolls, so as to control the thickness of an elongate metallic body beingformed therebetween.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means foradjustably varying the distance between the axes of said edge rolls, soas to control the width of an elongate body being formed in saidapparatus.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said edge rolls eachhave a diameter which is in the range of about one-half to one times thediameter of said principal rolls.

7. Apparatus for making flattened, elongate metallic bodies, as stripsand sheets, comprising a pair of substantially horizontal axis principalrolls positioned side by side with their axes located substantially in ahorizontal plane and parallel to each other, so as to compress flowablemetallic powder supplied thereto from above to the form of an elongatemetallic body, which is sufficiently compact and dense to beself-sustaining as it emerges from said principal rolls, said principalrolls defining the two longer sides of a space therebetweencorresponding generally to the cross-section of an elongate body formedfrom metallic powder by said rolls; a pair of edge rolls having outer,substantially cylindrical, powder-engaging surfaces and positioned sothat said powder-engaging surfaces substantially exactly define the endsof said space and serve to confine the flowable metallic powder suppliedas aforesaid to said space between said principal rolls, said edge rollshaving their powder-engaging surfaces of substantially the same lateralwidth in a direction axial of said edge rolls as the width of the edgesof said space and being substantially tangent to the edges of saidprincipal rolls, and wherein, in the substantially horizontal planeaforesaid including the axes of said principal rolls, only thepowder-engaging surfaces of said edge rolls extend in directionssubstantially perpendicular to the axes of said principal rolls and allother portions of said edge rolls are spaced away from said principalrolls and are nonparallel with the powder-engaging surfaces of said edgerolls, so as to prevent any entrapment of any metallic po'wder betweensaid other portions of said edge rolls and any parts of said principalrolls; means for rotating said edge rolls at a peripheral speedsubstantially the same as the speedat which said metallic body emergesfrom between said principal rolls, and means individual to each of saidedge rolls for adjustably varying the position of the axis thereoftoward and away from a point centrally of the powder being rolled andmidway between said principal rolls.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising meanseifective in all adjusted positions of said edge rolls for frictionallydriving them.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim '7, in which said means foradjustably varying the position of the axis of each of said edge rollscomprises a support, a bearing means ro'tatably mounted with respect tosaid support for adjustive rotation with respect thereto, and meansmounting each of said edge rolls for rotation about an axis eccentric ofsaid bearing means, whereby adjustive rotation of said bearing meansresults in adjustment of the position of the axis of rotation of saidedge rolls toward and away from the space between said principal rolls.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, in which said means forfrictionally driving said edge rolls comprises a friction disc carriedrigidly with each of said edge rolls respectively, and a positivelydriven friction drive roller in frictional driving engagement with eachsaid disc respectively, and means rotated in synchronism with saidprincipal rolls for driving said friction drive rollers, the surface ofsaid friction discs against which said friction drive rollers bear beingrespectively perpendicular to the axis of each said edge roll.

11. Apparatus for making flattened, elongate metallic bodies, as stripsand sheets, comprising a pair of substantially horizontal axis principalrolls positioned side by side with their axes located substantially in ahorizontal plane and parallel to each other, so as to compress flowablemetallic powder supplied thereto from above to the fo'rm of an elongatemetallic body, which is sufliciently compact and dense to beself-sustaining as it emerges from said principal rolls, said principalrolls defining the two longer sides of a space therebetweencorresponding generally to the cross-section of an elongate body formedfrom metallic powder by said rolls; a pair of edge rolls having outersubstantially cylindrical, powder-engaging surfaces positioned so thatsaid powder-engaging surfaces substantially exactly define the ends ofsaid space and serve to co'nfine the flowable metallic powder suppliedas aforesaid to the space between said principal rolls, said edge rollshaving their powder-engaging surfaces of substantially the same lateralwidth in a direction axial of said edge rolls as the width of the edgesof said space, said edge rolls each further having two substantiallyconical beveled surfaces contiguous to its powder-engaging surface, andthe angle between the powder-engaging surface of each edge roll and eachof the two conical surfaces contiguous therewith as measured in a planeradial of each edge roll and containing the axis thereof being 11 fromabout .25 to about 75, said: substantially cylindrical powder-engagingsurface of each edge roll being substantially tangent to the edges ofsaid principal rolls, whereby in the substantially horizontal planeaforesaid including the axes of said principal rolls, only thepowderengaging surfaces of said edge rolls extend in directionssubstantially perpendicular to the axes of said principal rolls and allother portions of said edge rolls are spaced away from said principalrolls and are non-parallel with the powder-engaging surfaces of saidedge rolls, so as to prevent any entrapment of any metal powder betweensaid other portions of saidedge rolls and any parts of said principalrolls; and means for rotating each of said edge rolls at a peripheralspeed substantially the same as the speed at which said metallic bodyemerges from between said principal rolls.

.12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which each of the anglesaforesaid between the two conical beveled surfaces and the contiguouscylindrical powderengaging surface of each edge roll are substantiallythe same, so that each edge roll has a form which is substantiallysymmetricalwith respect to a median plane per pendicular to the axisthereof.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which each said anglebetween the cylindrical powder-engaging surface of each edge roll andeach of the conical beveled surfaces thereof is substantially 45.

14. Apparatus for making flattened, elongate metallic bodies, as stripsand sheets, comprising a' pair of substantially horizontal axisprincipal rolls positioned side by side with their axes locatedsubstantially in a horizontal plane and parallel to each other, so as tocompress flowable metallic powder supplied thereto from above to theform of an elongate metallic body, which is sufficiently compact anddense to be self-sustaining as it emerges from said principal rolls,said principal rolls defining the two longer sides of a spacetherebetween corresponding generally to the cross-section of an elongatebody formed from metallic powder by said rolls; a pair of edge rollshaving outer, substantially cylindrical powder-engaging surfaces andpositioned so that said powder-engaging surfaces substantially exactlydefine the ends of said space and serve to confine the fiowable metallicpowder supplied as aforesaid to the space between said principal rolls,said edge rolls having their powder-engaging surfaces of substantiallythe same lateral width in a direction axial of; said edge rolls as thewidth of the; edges of said space, and being substantially tangent tothe edges of said principal rolls, and wherein, in the substantiallyhorizontal plane aforesaid including the axes, of said principal rolls,only the powder-engaging surfaces of said edge rolls extend indirections substantially perpendicular' to the axes of said principalrolls and all other portions of said edge rolls are spaced away fromsaid principal rolls and are non-parallel with the powderengagingsurfaces of said edge rolls, so as to prevent any entrapment of anymetal powder between said other portions of said edge rolls and anyparts of said principal rolls; means for rotating said edge rolls at aperipheral speed substantially the same as the speed at which said bodyemerges from between said principal rolls; and chute means for directingpowdered metal downwardly into said space, said chute means includingparts extending to a level below that of the axes of said principalrolls, and said chute means further being provided with cut-out portionsthrough which portions of said principal rolls and portions of saidedgerolls extend.

1 15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14, in which the parts of saidchute means which define said cutout portions through which portions ofsaid principal rolls extends include wall portions making up parts ofsaid chute means and extending downward almost into engagement with saidprincipal rolls, but out of frictional contact therewith. 6

OTHER REFERENCES Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers and Inventors,

vol. III, published by the Industrial Press, New York,

1951, pages 314 and 315.

